Iraq leaders concur on key drafts

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BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Shi'ite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish political leaders announced yesterday they reached consensus on several key measures seen as vital to fostering national reconciliation.

The agreement by five leaders is one of the most significant political developments in Iraq for months and was quickly welcomed by the United States, which hopes such moves will ease the sectarian violence that has killed tens of thousands.

It comes amid growing frustration in Washington over the political paralysis that has gripped the government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Responding to repeated calls for his ouster, Mr. al-Maliki yesterday lashed out at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and other U.S. critics in the Democratic Party.

The apparent breakthrough comes just weeks before President Bush's top officials in Iraq present a report on the country that could have a major influence on future American policy in Iraq.

"I hope that this agreement will help Iraq move beyond the political impasse," Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said.

"The five leaders representing Iraq's major political communities ... affirmed the principle of collective leadership to help deal with the many challenges faced by Iraq."

The appearance of Mr. al-Maliki on Iraqi television with the four other leaders at a brief news conference was a rare show of public unity.

The other officials present were President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd; Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi; Shi'ite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, and Masoud Barzani, president of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

Iraqi officials said the five leaders agreed on draft legislation that would ease curbs on former members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party who join the civil service and military.

Consensus was also reached on a law governing provincial powers, as well as setting up a mechanism to release some detainees held without charge, a key demand of Sunni Arabs since the majority being held are members of their sect.